Aleesha Hansel

Musings of a curly haired wierdo

From the bottleMellow red wine made from South Africa's best known red grape varieties, bursting with ripe berry fruit flavours and a soft finish

Alcohol 12.5%

Price £6.50 (Available from Co-op)

ReviewNow, I have to be honest and say that I am not a fan of South African wines. Rationally I think to myself that it is on a similar latitude as Australia, Argentina and Chile (all known for making some great wines) and therefore I always open a bottle with apprehension and hope that this will be the bottle to change my mind. Maybe (I think to myself) I have just been unlucky and found some less than great bottles before, but unfortunately this bottle confirmed my thoughts once more. The aroma consists of black fruits, a spice I cant quite put my finger on -possibly cloves or star anise and strongly of alcohol. On the palate it feels soft and ripe but seems somewhat unrefined with its unpleasant after-taste. I tried, I really tried, to like this wine so that I could finally say I like a SA wine (especially as this is fairtrade) but this isn't going to be the one.